PC(USA) - Ministers / COM


	COM Handbook - Glossary of Commonly Used Terms

	Prepared and Shared by Diana Barber, Associate Executive, Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Updated by Doska Ross (2007).

	AA/EOE or EEO	Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer or Equal Employment Opportunity. The church and each governing body have a policy re: AA/EOE, which must be followed during any search process. G-9.0105e G-11.0502g G-14.0530-.0531

	Annual Consultation	The annual conversation between a CPM and each of its Inquirers and Candidates to assess the progress of their preparation for ministry. G-14.0421

	Assistant Pastor	The position of Assistant Pastor is no longer approved (since December 31, 1985) and there are no longer any persons serving as Assistant Pastors. The wording has been edited out of the Book of Order

	Associate Pastor	A member of the pastoral staff of a congregation elected by the congregation and called and installed with the approval of presbytery (upon recommendation of COM). This is one of the permanent installed pastoral offices. G-14.0511

	At-Large Member	See Member At Large.

	Bi-vocational Pastor	A clergyperson who maintains a job in addition to part-time pastoral ministry, usually to enable the person to serve a congregation that could not provide full time compensation or work. Also called a Tentmaker.

	Book of Confessions	The part of the Constitution that includes the historic creeds and confessions adopted by the denomination as containing the essential tenets of the Reformed tradition.



	Book of Order	The part of the Constitution that defines the rules that govern our corporate lives as members and governing bodies. The 3 parts are the Form of Government, the Directory for Worship and the Rules of Discipline.

	Boundaries	Geographically, the bounds of a governing body — the counties included in a presbytery, the presbyteries included in a synod, etc. Interpersonally, the limits of personal and professional space. Often referred to in relation to pastor-parishioner and intra-staff relationships.

	Call	Theologically, the sense that God has chosen one to engage in ministry as a layperson or clergy. Also referred to as "vocation." Also the term applied to the covenant between the congregation and pastor wherein the pastor responds to the "call" of the congregation in response to a larger vocation to ministry. This term also applies to the specifics of the contract or covenant established between the pastor and congregation including compensation, etc. G-14.0533-.0534

	Candidate	The status in the preparation for ministry process following Inquirer. Movement to candidacy requires approval of the session and presbytery of care. "Candidate" also is used to refer to the persons being considered during the search to fill a particular ministerial position. G-14.0402 G-14.0405 G-14.0412



	Candidating	Term frequently applied to the final step preceding nomination for election to the pastorate in a congregation. Ordinarily refers to the day on which the candidate for the position preaches to the congregation and is presented during the congregational meeting.

	Career Development Center	A term applied to the centers which provide career counseling services for church professionals. There are centers across the country. More information.

	Certification	The process of authorizing a person as qualified for a particular form of service or ready for movement within a process. For example, the denomination certifies Christian Educators. Other organizations certify persons serving in some specialized ministries. (Administrative Personnel Association, Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM), Presbyterian Church Business Administrators Association, etc.) A presbytery can certify a candidate "ready for examination for ordination" or prepared to be commissioned as a lay pastor. G-14.0700

	Certified Christian Educator	A person serving in educational ministry who has completed the educational and examination requirements specified in the Book of Order for the status of Certified Christian Educator with "access" to the Committee on Ministry. G-14.0710-.0731



	Chaplain	A form of Specialized Ministry usually performed within an institutional setting (hospital, school, military, etc.) Such a position must be validated by presbytery. G-6.0203 G-11.0403 G-11.0408

	CIF	Church Information Form. The "dossier" or resume prepared by a congregation that is seeking a new pastor.

	Clerk of Session	The elder elected to serve as secretary and keeper of records and rolls for a session. G-9.0203

	CLP	See Commissioned Lay Pastor.

	Candidate Assessment	Part of the preparation for ministry ordinarily required of all those entering the process, during which their psychological fitness for ministry and their sense of vocation is examined by a psychologist or other professional counselor.

	COM	Committee on Ministry – required committee of a presbytery charged to “serve as pastor and counselor to the ministers and Certified Christian Educators of the presbytery, to facilitate the relations between congregations, ministers, and Certified Christian Educators, and the presbytery, and to settle difficulties on behalf of presbytery when possible and expedient. G-11.0500

	Commission	The church establishes commissions to perform tasks and carry out responsibilities on behalf of the whole establishing body. Presbyteries establish commissions to install pastors, ordain ministers of the Word and Sacrament, and to carry out other administrative functions. A Permanent Judicial Commission is required to prosecute judicial cases brought before the governing body. G-9.0500 D-5.0000



	Commissioned Lay Pastor	An elder of the PC(USA) who is granted a local commission by the presbytery to lead worship and preach the gospel, watch over the people, and provide for their nurture and service; valid only in one or more designated congregations. The Book of Order defines necessary instruction and the process for examination. The commission to a particular lay pastor should include the specific functions that the person is authorized to perform. G-14.0140 G-14. 0560-.0564

	Continuing Members	All minister members of presbytery who serve in parish ministry or another "validated" ministry or are honorably retired. G-11.0403 G-11.0406

	Cooperative Committee	Presbyteries' Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates. This committee prepares the required ordination examinations and facilitates their grading. G-14.0450d G-11.0103m

	Co-Pastor	Pastors who are called and installed with shared responsibility for pastoral ministry in a particular church. G-14.0512



	In Correspondence	The status of formal relationship with and recognition of another denomination and the PCUSA. We are "in correspondence" with another denomination if we have had historical relations with it outside the U.S., are members of the ecumenical bodies in which the PCUSA holds membership, or if we are in full communion with them by ecumenical agreements approved by the General Assembly. Pending meeting the constitutional requirements in G-11.0404 -.0405, the ordination of minister members of a denomination in correspondence with the PCUSA will be recognized by the PCUSA. G-15.0201-.0202 G- 11.0404-.0405

	Covenant Relationship	The relationship established between the CPM and Inquirers and Candidates which defines their mutual responsibilities. G-14.0401 G-14.0420

	CPE	Clinical Pastoral Education. A special in-service opportunity, ordinarily for candidates, spent in an institutional setting under supervision. The purpose is to practice and hone one's pastoral counseling skills.

	CPM	Committee on Preparation for Ministry charged with guiding the preparation of those to be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament G-14.0400 - .0485

	CPM of Call	The CPM of the presbytery to which a candidate is being called to a first ministry position. G-14.0481-.0484

	CPM of Care	The CPM of the presbytery under whose care a particular candidate or inquirer is enrolled. G- 14.0450

	Designated Pastor	A minister approved by the committee on ministry to be elected for a term of not fewer than two or more than four years by the vote of the congregation. The only designated pastoral relationships are pastor, associate pastor or co-pastor. They must be chosen from a list of persons approved and commended to them by the presbytery through its COM. G-14.0520 -.0523



	Developmental Counseling	The program of a career development center that provides pastors with an opportunity to assess their ministries, examine their sense of vocation, and plan for their future ministry. The pastor is considered to be the "client."

	Directory for Worship	The part of the Book of Order that provides the guidelines for worship within the Reformed tradition and the liturgical and sacramental requirements for appropriate worship.

	Dissolution	The process of concluding a relationship. A pastor's relationship to a congregation is dissolved when he or she leaves the position. A church is dissolved when it is closed. The active relationship of an elder or deacon is dissolved when they resign or cease to be serving on the board. G-14.0600-.0613 G-6.0500 G- 11.0103 i



	Ecumenical Shared Ministry	Term applied to any one of several forms of pastoral ministries involving more than one denomination. This may be an ecumenical yoke or other form of cooperative ministry.

	Elder	The ordained office of the church with responsibility for the spiritual oversight and governance of a congregation. Ruling elders are currently serving on the session of a church. G-6.0300

	Pastor Emerita or Emeritus	An honorary status which may be awarded to someone honorably retired from a particular position by election of the congregation and upon approval of the presbytery. This status may include an honorarium but assumes no pastoral authority or duty. G-14.0620

	Entrance Exam	The process a presbytery uses to determine whether a minister will be accepted for membership in that presbytery. These are often conducted by the COM but may (also) be conducted on the floor of presbytery. G-11.0402 G-11.0404

	EP	Executive Presbyter. The chief administrative staff person for a presbytery. Similar to General Presbyter. G-9.0701

	Evaluative Counseling	The program of a career development center which provides a COM or Personnel Committee with feedback regarding the emotional and psychological health of a pastor and their current fitness for ministry. In this case, the "client" is the COM or Personnel Committee and they will receive a report if requested.

	Examination Services	The office in the Office of the General Assembly which resources the Cooperative Committee and CPMs related to ordination examinations.



	Exemption	When a candidate is given permission to meet an ordination requirement through some means other than completion of the normal process and/or passage of the standard examinations. G-14.0470-.0474

	Extraordinary	The term applied to circumstances during which the normal requirements for ordination are exempted or waived. This may include educational requirements, examinations, time. G-14.0470-.0474

	Federated Church	A formal ecumenical relationship established between a Presbyterian congregation and one or more congregations of another denomination in which the merged membership functions as one congregation but members ordinarily maintain their separate denominational identity and separate rolls may be kept. In all cases, there shall be a plan of agreement which defines the nature of their federation which shall be modeled on G-16.0201 insofar as possible. G-15.0204 G-16.0201

	Field Education	That part of the preparation for ministry process in which candidates participate as a student in ministry under the supervision of a pastor or other staff leader and ordinarily as part of their seminary education. This is sometimes called Supervised Practice of Ministry. The placement of students in field positions is normally the responsibility of the seminary, but should be done in consultation with the CPM and, where appropriate, the COM of the presbytery where the placement will occur. G-14.0412 G-14.0420



	Final Assessment	The examination of a candidate during the final year of theological education or when all other requirements for preparation are completed to determine the person's readiness to begin ministry. A successful final assessment results in the CPM certifying a candidate "ready for examination for ordination pending a call." G-14.0450

	Five Part Form	The form which a Stated Clerk must fill out in order to complete the transfer of a minister of the Word and Sacrament from one presbytery to another.

	Form of Government	Form of Government G-1.0000—G-18.000

	GAC	General Assembly Council G-13.0200

	GP	General Presbyter. The chief administrative staff person for a presbytery. G-9.0701

	Head of Staff	The pastor of a congregation who is the supervisor of other pastoral staff.

	Honorably Retired	The status which may be granted to a minister in good standing at the time of their retirement from active ministry. G-11.0412

	HR	See Honorably Retired.

	Immigrant Fellowship/Bible Study Group	An international group of Christian people who are accepted by a Presbytery as part of their evangelistic outreach ministry. They maintain their language and cultural expressions in their worshiping experiences. Usually, their membership is not yet PC (USA). Also can be called Ethnic-Specific Models G-9.0503a(2)a-b

	Inactive Member	A minister-member of presbytery or a member of a congregation who has ceased to participate fully in the fellowship of the congregation or governing body may be placed on the Inactive Role if the governing body is unable to contact the person or if the minister has been absent for one year and has failed to report to the presbytery during that time. A person on the inactive role may not be elected to any position in the governing body. G-11.0406c G-11.0415a G-10.0302a (3) G-5.0203



	Inquirer	A person enrolled in the Inquiry Phase of preparation for ministry. (see Inquiry below.)

	Inquiry	The initial phase of preparation, the purpose of which is to provide an opportunity for the church and for those who believe themselves called to Ministry of Word and Sacrament to explore that call together to determine together one's suitability for that ministry. G-14.0404

	Installation	The act of the governing body which completes the call of a person to service in the church. Elders and deacons are installed by the congregation. Ministers of Word and Sacrament are installed by the presbytery. A call is not complete and the person is not considered "hired" for legal purposes until the installation. G-14.0501 G-14.0510 W-4.4000

	Interim Pastor	A minister invited by the session of a church without an installed pastor to fulfill pastoral duties for a specified period not to exceed 12 months at a time, while the church is seeking a pastor. There are pastors who have been trained and certified as Interim Pastors but any pastor serving in that capacity is an interim. An interim pastor may not be called to be pastor of the church served as an interim. G-14.0550 G-14.0551 G-14.0553

	Interim	Applies to the time between the dissolution of the pastoral relationship of one pastor and the installation of the next.

	Intern	A candidate for ministry may choose to extend his or her formal educational preparation by seeking a placement in a congregation or other ministry setting as an intern. Such positions vary from a few months (e.g., summer intern) to year-long. They are ordinarily compensated and are often negotiated or arranged through the seminary. This an optional component of the preparation process.

	Investigating Committee	The first phase of a disciplinary procedure whose task is to determine whether or not there is justification for a charge to be formally made and a disciplinary procedure to be initiated. D-10.0201



	Laboring Outside/Inside the Bounds	Permission granted by authority of the presbytery for a Minister of Word and Sacrament to minister and/or work. In particular, if a pastor wants to perform any pastoral duty outside the bounds of their presbytery of membership and within the bounds of another, permission must be sought from both presbyteries prior to the exercise of that duty. A pastor cannot preach, celebrate the sacraments, etc. within the bounds of another presbytery without permission. G-11.0401

	Larger Parish	Two or more churches who wish to cooperate in ministry may be established as a larger parish. They may call a pastor(s) together, coordinate ministry through a parish council, coordinate finances, etc. G-14.0504 G-14.0512

	LEA	Leadership Effectiveness Analysis. An optional component of the call process which provides an assessment of one's leadership behaviors in the ministry setting. Companion instrument to the Strategic Directions Questionnaire (SDQ).

	Liaison	One who connects one group or person with another. COM assigns a member as liaison to a PNC. CPM may assign a member as liaison to the session of an inquirer or candidate under care or to a particular inquirer or candidate.

	Member at Large	A minister who has previously been admitted to the presbytery or another presbytery as an active member, and who now, without intentional abandonment of the exercise of ministry, is no longer engaged in a ministry that complies with all the criteria in G-11.0403. A Member At Large may sere as a Parish Associate to maintain a relationship to a particular church. G-11.0406b G-14.0570



	Mentor	One who teaches or serves as a role model and confidant. A COM may assign a mentor to a newly ordained clergyperson to help them transition from seminary to the parish, and must assign a mentor to a CLP. G-14.0564

	Minister of the Word and Sacrament	The official title of the ordained office for clergy in the PCUSA. Initials are occasionally used in informal communications -- MOWS. G-6.0103 G-14.0120

	Mission Study	Carried out during the interim period to evaluate a congregation's present and assess its future mission goals.

	Moderator	One of the two required officers of a governing body, the moderator convenes and adjourns the meetings of the body. G-9.0202

	Neutral Pulpit	The church in which a pastor being considered by a PNC preaches prior to candidating as one of the final steps in the selection process.

	OGA	Office of the General Assembly (Stated Clerk's Office)

	Ordination	Ordination is the act by which the church sets apart persons to be presbyters (ministers of Word and Sacrament or elders) or deacons and is accompanied with prayer and the laying on of hands. Ordination to the office of Minister of Word and Sacrament is an act of presbytery on behalf of the whole church. G-14.0000 all G-14.012 W-4.4000
	Ords	See Ordination Exams

	Ordination Exams	Standardized examinations required of all candidates in the areas of Bible Content, Biblical Exegesis, Polity, Theology, and Worship and Sacraments. G-14.0431a-e G-14.0450

	Organizing Pastor	An organizing pastor is a minister or commissioned lay pastor appointed by the presbytery to serve as a pastor to a group of people who are in the process of organizing a new Presbyterian church. G-14.0552

	Parish	A congregation or group of congregations involved in a cooperative ministry. G-14.0504



	Parish Associate	A minister who serves in some validated ministry other than the local parish, or is a member at large, or is retired, who wishes to define and maintain a relationship with a particular church. G-14.0570-.0573

	Parish Council	The coordinating body of a larger or cooperative parish, usually composed of representatives of each congregation in the parish. The council may have responsibility for calling the pastor(s) and carrying out personnel functions.

	Pastor	One of the permanent offices of Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. The pastor is the moderator of the session, the supervisor of the staff, the worship leader, the celebrant of the sacraments, and the theologian-in-residence for a congregation. G-6.0202 G-14.0500 G-14.0510 See also the Directory for Worship

	Pastor Nominating Committee	This term applied to the search committee for a pastor or associate pastor. G-14.0531

	Pastor-Parish Relations Committee	The equivalent of COM in the Methodist church.

	Personnel Committee	The committee of a governing body (session, presbytery, synod, GA) with responsibility for the oversight of its staff and implementation of its personnel policies. G-9.0404b

	PIF	Personal Information Form. The dossier or resume of a pastor or other church professional.

	PNC	Pastor Nominating Committee



	Polity	Term applied to the government of the church.

	Pulpit Supply	The person who preaches for a church which is without an installed pastor. A list of qualified persons is to be maintained by the presbytery and provided to vacant churches to ensure the quality of proclamation. G-110502f

	Reformed Tradition	The theological tradition of the Presbyterian and other Reformed churches. G-2.0000

	Release from Exercise of Ordained Office	When an ordained officer of the church (elder, deacon, Minister of Word and Sacrament) is removed from office, either by their request or through disciplinary action of the governing body. If the release has occurred without prejudice, a person may seek to be restored to office. G-6.0600a-c

	Renunciation of Jurisdiction	When a church officer communicates in writing their intention to renounce the jurisdiction of this church. In other words, leaves the church and refuses to be bound by its authority. G-6.0700-.0703

	Restoration	The act of being moved from inactive to active status in the governing body of membership, or of being restored to continuing ministry. G-6.0600c G-11.0406c G-10.0302b (7)

	Rules of Discipline	The part of the Book of Order which outlines the procedures and processes by which the church responds to individuals and governing bodies who violate the constitution. D-1.0000 - D14.0000



	Second Career	A term applied to inquirers and candidates who have pursued one or more careers, other than being a student prior to coming under care.

	Session	The "least inclusive" governing body which governs the life of the congregation. G-10.0102 G-14.0511 G-14.0521

	Sexual Misconduct	When a person violates the appropriate professional interpersonal boundaries with a subordinate or parishioner. Definition and disciplinary procedures are delineated in a governing body's Sexual Misconduct policy. D-10.0401

	Sexual Misconduct Response Team	The group elected by a governing body and trained to respond to an allegation of sexual misconduct during and after the investigation of allegations and, if appropriate, the prosecution of a disciplinary case.

	Solo Pastor	A minister serving a pastorate without associates.

	Specialized Ministry	Validated forms of ministry other than parish ministry. Includes Pastoral Counseling, Chaplaincy, Campus Ministry, governing body staff, etc. G-11.0403 G-11.0408 G-11.0410 G-11.0411



	SPM	See Supervised Practice of Ministry.

	Stated Clerk	One of the required officers of a governing body, the clerk is responsible for maintaining the minutes, records, and rolls of the governing body. G-9.0201 G-9.0203

	Stated Supply	A temporary pastoral relationship of a minister of Word and Sacrament provided to a church which is not seeking an installed pastor and appointed by the presbytery. The relationship is established by the presbytery and shall extend for a period not to exceed 12 months at a time. G-14.0550

	Student Pastor	A candidate who is serving in a temporary supply position as an intern, or during field education.

	Supervised Practice of Ministry	See Field Education.

	Temporary Supply	A temporary pastoral relationship secured by the session with counsel from the presbytery to conduct services when there is no pastor or the pastor is unable to perform pastoral duties. A temporary supply may be a minister, a candidate, a commissioned lay pastor, or elder. G-14.0550

	Tentmaker	See Bi-vocational Pastor.

	Terms of Call	The specifics of the pastoral relationship extended by the congregation and approved by the presbytery which includes the nature of the ministry to be carried out and terms of compensation. A presbytery must approve any changes in the terms of call and may determine minimum levels of compensation. G-14.0534



	Transfer	The process of transferring the membership of the Word and Sacrament or the care of a candidate or inquirer from one presbytery to another. G-11.0401-.0402 G-14.0461-.0462

	Triennial Visit	COM is required to visit each session at least once every three years. G-11.0502c

	Union Church	When a Presbyterian Church unites with one or more particular churches which are members of other Reformed churches or of other Christian bodies. The union is accomplished under a plan of union as outlined in G-16.0200. G-16.0000 G-15.0000

	Validated Ministry	Each presbytery is required to have written criteria to determine which ministries outside of parish ministry will be considered "valid" for its minister of Word and Sacrament members. Those whose ministry meet those requirements will be qualified to be "continuing members" of the presbytery. G-6.0203 G-11.0403 d G-11.0411 G-11.0408

	Vocation	See Call.

	Waiver	When a presbytery, on recommendation of the CPM, decides not to require a candidate to complete one or more of the ordinary requirements for ordination. G-14.0470-.0474

	Yoke	When two or more churches are served by one pastor they are said to be yoked.



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